Trusting God

 Trusting God

 He is faithful

 

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.—1 Cor. 1:9

How is trust built?

With anyone, whether it’s parents or friends or enemies or government or neighbors, trust is built or destroyed by relationship, and experience.

It is the same with God.

He calls you and if you turn to Him and confess Him as Lord, you have put your trust in Him by faith alone, through his grace.

But, God does not leave you there. He wants a relationship. He wants your faith to grow and your trust in him to be real.

He brings you His Holy Spirit to dwell in you and He starts to sanctify you, and draw you closer to Him.

You might start seeing things changing and moving in your life. It might be scary. It might be tough. But, it is designed to draw you closer to Him, and to remove obstacles that work against you.

Remember these things. Because like a friend, the memories of your experience work to build reminders of your ability to trust them.

This is your testimony about the great things God has done in your life. This testimony can help others to know the Lord, and can help you build up faith when times seem tough.

God wants us to have these memories. God wants us to see him working. He wants us to trust Him.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.— Mal. 3:10

Alot of people hate when money comes into religion or faith. But, God says “prove me now”.

He is telling us to test Him on this. That when we give to the Kingdom, He will pour out blessings.

God doesn’t really need our money. But, when we test him on this we see things move in our lives and our faith grows. We gain blessings and we gain that aha! moment that God is real and His promises are true. We can trust Him.

Jesus says the same thing, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.—Luke 6:38

The Lord will pour out blessings. And not just spiritual blessings, but blessing from humans as well.

But for our cause here, the blessing is an increase of faith and testimony, because you can see God move and that His Word is true.

These things help build your faith and trust in Him.

When He protects us and provides, it might not always be a Wow! thing. But, it grows and builds and we can say, “God has always been there. He has always protected me. He never let the worse things happen to me.”

When we read His Word and start standing on his promises and praying the Word, we see Him move and we know we can trust Him.

Meanwhile He is sanctifying us and changing us. Our expectations and needs change. We become content with the things we have and are filled with joy simply by His presence. Faith grows because we know He is there.

We can trust His Word.

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.–2 Thess. 3:3

And you see that it is true. He has grown your Kingdom and protected you.

When we are lost and confused. When we are under attack and need Him He is there. We can turn to Him, and because of our past experiences with Him we know He has got us. Even if we sin. Even if we are utterly wicked and the whole world hates us. God is there for us. If we ask Him.

When we focus on Him and His Kingdom first in our lives, He takes care of the rest. (Matt 6:33)

That is our purpose in this world. Often we can find Him working when we re-orient ourselves to His service. We grow in Him as we serve Him. When we listen to the Holy Spirit we learn to hear His voice and grow in it.

When God answers our prayers, and brings us through tough times we can remember that experience, for future tough times. When He heals us or heals a loved one. Remember that and tell others. They can use your encouragement.

In order to know God’s promises you must know His Word. The Holy Spirit in you, if you are saved, will guide you and teach you. Learn of Him. Read His Word. (John 16:13)

Your faith grows by seeing His Word coming to pass in your life. You see the things God expects, and you can pray for Him to help you overcome, and He will.

That builds faith as well.

God has never expected blind faith or leaping into the darkness. He has called us and moves enough in our life that we never really have blind faith. We can see signs. We can see coincidences, which are really from God.

Take time to think of How He has moved in your life. How He has turned the bad into good. How He has killed two birds with one stone. How He has protected you and moved you and helped you.

Thank Him for what He has done, and what He will do. Your faith is tied to thankfulness in Him. You remember His might and presence. You remember His promises and you thank Him because you know He hears you and is moving.

You can trust Him.

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The Great Falling Away

 The Great Falling Away

 It will happen in these last days

 

 

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (The Day of The Lord) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”— 2 Thess. 2:3   (2 Thess 2:1-15)

It seems that this event is an obvious occurrence. It is not falling attendance in churches as some like to claim.

But, when the real falling away occurs, there will be no doubt as to what it is. Because every Christian will be tempted with it.

Let me explain.

 The Great Falling Away will most likely occur because of terrible persecution of the church in every corner of the world. (No I do not believe in the PRE-TRIBULATION Rapture. We will meet Him in the clouds when He returns. These verses in 2nd Thessalonians tell us plainly that the Lord’s return, and our gathering together with Him (rapture at His return)will not occur until there is a falling away, and the Anti-Christ is revealed.) 2 Thess. 2: 1-15

Notice in the Gospels that Jesus cleansed His temple twice in His earthly ministry. At the beginning and at the end.

This is a picture of something.

Likewise, persecution from Rome came upon the first church and will come again in these latter days from the revived Roman Empire, also known as the New World Order Kingdom of The Anti-Christ. That is what the cleaning of His temple refers to. The removal of false brethren, who were never saved. They never put their faith in Jesus.

The Persecution weeds out the false believers. It chases out the money changers. This cleanses the temple, which is the body, which is the Church.

We see in Revelation that after the four horseman there is great persecution. ( Rev. 6:9-11, Rev 6:12, Matt. 24:29)  In Daniel, it says the Anti-Christ will make war with the saints and overcome them. Daniel also shows that the Anti-Christ starts out behind the scenes. (Daniel 7: 21, Daniel 7:24-25, Rev. 13:7)

In Revelation the Anti-Christ and False Prophet do not publicly appear until chapter 13 (Revelation 13).

Despite the teaching that the White Horse of the Four Horseman is the Anti-Christ. It is not. The white horse is a deception. It might be caused by the Anti-Christ behind the scenes, but not openly.

What will probably occur, is that when the world is being devastated by fake or manufactured viruses like COVID, divisions and war, economic collapse, famine, deception, and the death that follows.(Rev.6)

The Anti-Christ behind the scenes will start blaming Christians for the devastation and war. This will stir up the persecution that comes after the Four horsemen have ridden the Earth. This persecution will probably be blowback from some action the Church is accused of doing. ( Rev. 6)

At the same time the False Prophet will appear with a new global religion, that answers all our questions, and satisfies every need for the lost, bringing false hope to people.  But, it is a lie.

The falling away could also coincide with a discovery, of something that devastates Christian teachings. Possibly Aliens (Which are demons/fallen angels), or they could claim to have found the Body of Jesus in a hidden tomb.

In 1 John the scriptures speak of Christians leaving the Church because they were not of us. (1 John 2:18-19) (Preachers use this verse to condemn folks who leave their church. It is wrong to do that. This verse has nothing to do with that. It’s not about someone deciding to go to a different church.)

This falling away in 1 John, happens in conjunction with persecution. They left the church because they were not saved and feared persecution and death. The early Christians thought that the persecution coming upon them was from the Anti-Christ, and it was the end and Jesus was coming. But, they did not see that there were TWO cleanings of the temple, and that there are many anti-christs, till THE one true Anti-Christ comes. As John explained.

Likewise, in today’s world the church is full of non-believers who are money changers, benefiting from church membership, in business, politics, and life. But they do not really KNOW HIM.

So when the end times persecution comes, and the False religion and the waves tribulation rise upon them. They will fall away, because they never built their house on the True Rock of Jesus Christ.

They waited for the Pre-Trib Rapture, so they could escape tough times. But, it didn’t come. And now they are like foolish virgins with no faith in their lamp. They can’t trust God for the tough times because they never prepared. So, they fall away, because they never knew Him. They never trusted Him.

All those in the Church who never really knew Him fall away and become the Apostate Church who turn on real believers and sell them out to the Anti-Christ.

Children betraying parents unto death, because they were brainwashed in the schools. Pastors handing over trouble makers in their church unto death. Friends betraying friends, killing every true believer. (Matt. 10:17-22, Mark 13:12)

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints.”(Psalm 116:15)

This is the cleansing of the Temple in the latter days as all the False brethren and false teachers and deceived ones fall away. Because they never knew Him. They openly reject Him.

The persecution and killing of the true saints, along with the falling away of false brethren allows the rise of the Anti-Christ openly and He makes war upon the saints. Because the saints are being killed, the Holy Spirit in them who is the restrainer, is being removed and the Anti-Christ rises and has free reign.

If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior for real, you cannot fall away. He won’t let you go and you would never deny that Jesus is the Lord, and curse Him. This denying and cursing,  will probably be an aspect of falling away while joining the Apostate Church. False brethren will do this to avoid death, and will receive the Mark of the Beast. (1 Cor. 12:3, John 17:12)

Draw closer to the Lord. Get saved, because there will come a point when people will be too blind to find the door. Build faith for the tough times to come. Stop trusting in a Pre-Trib rapture, because if it’s wrong, you will be terribly shaken. That flood of fear will overwhelm you. Start trusting God to be able to carry you through tribulation. Jesus is coming soon.

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Give And it Shall Be Given Unto You

 Give And It Shall Be Given Unto You

Have you tested God? 

 

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”—Luke 6: 38

First, I wanna say that this verse and all verses are completely true.

I have given for years. I give a tithe regularly, and I try to give as the Holy Spirit leads me.

God has protected me, provided for me and has brought it back to me and then some. You can trust His Word.

I can tell you story after story of Him making this real in my life. It’s a fact. But, you start by believing His Word.

And that’s the point. If you can’t believe God will give to you, then how can you believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead? Do you trust God’s Word?

It’s about faith.

I have been in situations where I have been led by the Spirit to give help to others, and have watched God bring it back by the end of the day. And not only bring it back, but bring it back 10 fold.

That builds faith. 

People say, “You shouldn’t give wanting to get back.”

Well first off, I don’t. But, why would God promise a return then? We give to help others, because we love them and love God, and the Lord blesses us.

It’s about Faith. He saves us by His Grace, through our Faith. So, our faith must be exercised and made strong. That is the oil of faith in our lamps. He wants us to Trust Him and His Word. Faith and trust is built, when you see that someone keeps their promises and are good to you. So, He promises and then keeps it. Our giving is a method God uses to build our faith, help others and build the Kingdom. We trust Him and serve, and He moves and we see it and faith grows.

We can literally watch it happen. He says “Prove me on this.” ( Malachi 3:10 )

This builds faith. You believe His Word. You take a step of Faith. And you see Him move. And that builds more faith. He wants us to trust Him.

I know it’s hard sometimes. We pray and see nothing happening. I have prayers, that get answered immediately. But, some prayers have been cooking for years, unanswered. I can’t hardly wait to see it explode on the scene in power as He moves like He promised, when the answer comes. It’s not a no. It’s a “Stand back and watch it explode!”

It’s about faith. We give cheerfully because we are giddy to see Him move. We are amazed by His power and love. Like He told the Israelites in the desert. “And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.” (Deut. 29:5) God can keep things from wearing out.

He blesses us in many ways. But do not be deceived. Some will say, “Yes, He gives back, but it’s spiritual blessings.”

That’s not what the Word says. Jesus said “pressed down shaken together shall MEN give unto your bosom.” See the verse at the top of the page.

How can men give spiritual blessings? They can’t.

Let go of your expectations. Just trust His Word and watch Him move.

The bottom line is faith. Do we believe Him and trust Him.

Everything in reality screams it. From the fall in the Garden, where they didn’t trust Him or believe His Word. Till today, as we struggle through our lives constantly encountering situations where the question is asked. “Do you trust me? Do you believe me?”

Give as the Spirit leads, and watch Him move and your faith will grow. 

When you feel that you should give, just do it. The Spirit is leading you. Of course you can exercise wisdom in the matter. But, beware of second guessing and doubting and talking yourself out of a blessing, or an opportunity to serve the Lord. God loves them, and wants us to love and give.

I know people who say “Yeah but they will just buy drugs or not use it right.”

That’s not our problem. Jesus said, ” Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” (Matthew 5:42)

We do not know what God is doing. God could be working on this person and your helping them could be an answer to prayer. That answer could lead the person to turn to God and save a life and a soul. Trust God.

We are to be cheerful givers. ( 2 Cor. 9:7)

We cannot do that if we have doubt, fear, or second guessing.

Have faith in God and watch him move.

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He Is Real

 He Is Real

 He rewards those who diligently seek Him.

 

 

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

¹⁰ For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

¹¹ If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

¹² Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

¹³ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?—Luke 11: 9-13

When we get saved the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us.

God does not send some other Spirit or trick us. If we ask Him to save us He does. If we turn to Him in faith hearing his call, He comes running to embrace us and save us. He washes us clean of ALL sin, and starts a relationship with us.

He gives us a hope and a purpose. He shows us what we can do for the kingdom. He helps us to change and grow out of things that are hurting us. He corrects us and places our feet on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.

Simply because we hear his call, turn to Him and ask.

He answers our prayers and teaches us. He leads us into ALL truth.

When you know Him and have a relationship with Him, He walks with you, and your prayers are prayed based upon what He tells you to pray. When you do this you see Him moving in your life, and the answer is never “No”, because He does not tell Himself No.

We pray what God wants, because we have given ourselves to Him and He is with us. When we do this we see Him move.

These verses above are promises from the Lord. We can trust them. We can speak these promises out loud to ourselves to remind us of His faithfulness.

When the demons cause us to doubt or wonder or fear, we can say “No. God’s Word says “Ask and it shall be given unto you. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened. Its a fact. In Jesus name.”

Speaking God’s Word out loud is engaging in Spiritual Warfare. it is using the Sword of the Spirit and The Shield of Faith. (Eph 6;13-18)

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” —Rom. 10:17

Speaking the Word out loud so we and others can hear it, drives the enemy away and helps build up our faith.

It is taking every thought captive. (2 Cor. 10:5)

It is renewing our mind so we have the mind of Christ. (Rom. 12:2)

Let’s say we have applied for jobs without an answer and the bills are coming due. Fear rises up in our hearts and we are getting desperate.

We can speak the Word.

“I have prayed. I have asked for a job. I have knocked on doors. I sought, and in Jesus name the doors are opening. It will be given. I will find. Ask and it shall be given unto me. God’s Word says and it is coming. In Jesus name.”

The Lord knows what you need before you even ask Him. (Matt. 6:8)

Trust Him.

 Jesus said, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.“— John 14:13-14

That’s a promise! Ask in His name! Ask according to His will! You have the Holy Spirit, if you are saved. Ask Him what you should pray for in this situation.

He will show you.

Is someone sick? Ask the Lord what to pray for. Pray for healing. Pray for comfort. Pray for peace. Pray for the Lord’s will to be done, and to grant you grace to accept and grow in it.

Prayer is not really a yes, maybe , or no proposition. It is a relationship with your father. It is a conversation of life. Pray to Him unceasingly, and unapologetically. He knows you. He knows your heart. He understands your groaning and your tears.

Trust Him.

It might take time.

It might seem like He isn’t moving, but He is.

Keep speaking the Word. Keep driving away the doubts and fears.

He will teach you. He will comfort you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Heb. 13:5)

Trust Him. Speak the Word in faith and believe it. Use the Sword and Shield against the enemy who tries to beat you down.

The Lord hears and He is with you.

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Why Do We Study Prophecy?

 Why Do We Study Prophecy?

 So, we know the seasons.

 

The Bible is 30% prophecy, as some have stated. But, when you consider that the whole thing is about Jesus Christ, and that all the stories and pictures speak of Him, His First Coming and Second Coming, I think its more like 100%.

God has called all believers to be prepared, serve the Kingdom and occupy this world till His Second Coming. We follow the Great Commission telling others about Jesus, and the Gospel. We teach the things Jesus has said, and we love God and others in this work.

When we get saved, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us.

Jesus said,

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.“— John 16:13

That means the Holy Spirit in us will guide us into ALL truth regarding spiritual things, God’s Word and life. He is the voice of the Lord and will repeat the the things the Lord says. He will also shew us things to come. That means prophecy.

If you are saved you have the Holy Spirit and He will open your eyes to things. He will teach you and lead you to teachers. He will bring the Word to life.

He has gifted some saints to have the gift of prophecy. Now, this does not always mean that they give prophetic utterances. But, that they see things. They see what the Spirit is showing them, and are called to tell others.

Why?

Why does this matter? Why is it needed?

Because Satan is the deceiver.

We are in a spiritual war, and in war deception is dangerous. But, one of the methods of defeating deception is proper communication.

We communicate with God through prayer. We communicate with each other through preaching the Gospel, teaching the Word, keeping sound doctrine, and knowing what the mission is and where we are going. Which is prophecy.

Remember, prophecy is not prophecy to God. God is outside of time. His days are as a thousand years. So when He created everything it was only 6 days ago. Jesus died and rose two days ago, to God. He already knows how it ends and He knows everything that will happen. (2 Peter 3:8)

Prophecy is for our benefit. It let’s us see God’s Work. It lets us see the workings of the enemy. Because Satan has done the same things over and over since the Fall.

It helps us to encourage each other, with the promise of His coming.

It helps us to be prepared and not deceived.

It builds our faith as we see God’s Word coming to life and His promises being fulfilled.

It helps us to endure and abide in these last days of deception.

When we know what’s going to happen, we know the truth when Satan and his human slaves lie to us.

We know Satan, the spirit of antichrist, fallen angels, demons and unclean spirits are using their human slaves to build the New World Order Kingdom of the Anti-Christ.

So, when we see globalism spreading. When we see certain ideologies and technologies coming into being we can know that Jesus is coming soon. We can be encouraged.

There will come a time when things get harder and harder for the Saints. Prophecy will help be a source of encouragement. There will be a time when people in the church who have been on the fence; Wavering between two opinions, Double minded, will be tempted to leave Christ and join the Apostate Church of the False Prophet.

Prophecy will be a sign for them to know God’s Word is true, and to finally accept Jesus for real. They have seen signs of the Lord and tasted the good Word. They have been enlightened and seen the Holy Spirit working. But have never really confessed Jesus as their Lord. They just thought going to church was enough.

Seeing God’s Prophetic Word fulfilled will wake some up. But, will drive others into the arms of the enemy. They never knew the Lord. They have no oil of faith in their lamps. The light of the Spirit does not shine in them.

It is the great falling away. The tares and wheat. The scriptures speak in many places about these “False Brethren”. They will betray the saints unto death.

Prophecy is an attempt by the Lord to save them, and show the saints what season it is.

The time is drawing near. Satan uses all sides. Right wing. Left Wing. Churches. Ministries, Government, Non-profits, Protestors, everything. He uses all tragedies and victories to push his agenda. To build his kingdom.

His kingdom seeks to make him like God, with more and more control and power. He wants worshipers and followers. He twists the minds of his slaves. We are seeing some of this. With lies in the media, and leaders calling good evil, and evil good. With AI and deep fakes, the age of deception is upon us. The enemy will go to all lengths to build his kingdom.

Seeing what we see today and where we are going is why we study prophecy and learn of it. It keeps us from joining the forces of the enemy. It is impossible to avoid all occurrences of helping the enemy. We vote. We pay taxes. We sit back while evil occurs, or we get involved and create more evil.

All of it is used by the enemy to build his kingdom.

Except, the preaching of the Gospel.

The enemy will seek to stifle the free speech which allows the Gospel to be spread.

We wage war by loving others and telling them about Jesus. Even evil governments are not an enemy to the good works of helping others. Satan himself pretends to be an angel of light. Helping the masses and giving them things, in order to enslave them and keep them from turning to God.

But, we know and have been told of these things before hand. We know where we are headed and should be prepared.

The Lord is coming quickly.

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Faith And Works

 Faith And Works

 God works to build the Kingdom through us.

 

 

James 2:14-26

In this passage. The apostle James, speaks of works being an aspect of our faith. It ends with the famous phrase “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

In the verses James shows that God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac and he went to obey. (James 2:21)

We also see that Abraham was made righteous when he first believed. And in another verse we see that he had faith that God could raise Isaac from the dead. (Rom. 4:3, Gal 3:6, James 2:23, Hebrews 11:17-19)

The point is to show that we are not saved by works. We are saved by God’s grace. We receive it through faith when we believe what God has told us. Our works are a reflection of our faith. That is what James is saying. Do we really believe? (Eph 2:8-10)

Faith must come first. He never disputes that, because this point of faith is when we are saved. Works come after, because we cannot do righteous works without the Holy Spirit. We receive the Holy Spirit at salvation. Therefore, in order to do good works, we must have the Holy Spirit and let Him work in us and through us. If we do works without salvation, it is just flesh, and means nothing.

Understand that lots of preachers will use these verses as a means to create guilt, shame and fear in people’s hearts. They will quote the verse and lead the saints to believe that because they sin, or don’t give enough or don’t go to church enough, then they really do not have faith and therefore are not saved. It’s a spirit of fear, guilt and shame.

But that is not the real purpose of this verse. It’s not for me to use it to condemn you. But, for me to use it to look at myself.

Am I saved? Do I have the Holy Spirit? How do I know?

I know because of the things the Spirit leads me to do. I confess that Jesus is the Lord. I confess that He came in the flesh. I let the Fruit of the Spirit flow in me and through me, so I can love God and my neighbor as myself. I use the gifts God has given me to serve and build the Kingdom. These are works. They help me to see that I am with God and He works through me.

Fleshly humans do not care about God or spiritual things. Not really. (Romans 3:10-18)

Remember that.

Since you are seeking God, or desiring to please Him or serve him. it is an indication that He is in you working. Examine yourself.

James said, “The demons also believe and tremble” (James 2:19)

This explains it. The Demons will not confess that Jesus is the Lord, because they are in rebellion. Paul says no one can confess Jesus is the Lord but by the Spirit of God. John says they cannot confess that Jesus came in the Flesh. (1 Cor. 12:3, 1 John 4:1-3)

Do you confess Jesus is the Lord? (Rom. 10:9-10)

Do you tell others about Jesus and how He saved you? (Matt 10:32)

These are the works, Confessing, Communion, Baptism, Abiding and being Spirit led, letting the Spirit work through us and grow us, helping and serving others, building the kingdom, leading people to Christ.

Ok?

Understand that, Satan is not going to preach the Gospel. Not the true Gospel. He will not tell you to turn to God, and confess Jesus is the Lord, and go tell others. He will tell you to quit sinning. He will tell you to be religious. But, if you are saved, Jesus has already taken care of your sins. Now walk in it.

Demons can create religions and get humans to avoid sin and do great things to help people and claim to know God. They can lead humans into being a good person, avoiding sin, and being religious. Demons are able to get people to come to church, sitting in pews and singing songs. Look at other religions. They teach good morals.

But, it’s all fake. Unsaved people do these things everyday. They are full of good morals. But, they will not confess that Jesus is the Lord. Good morals will not save you. (1 Cor 12:3)

So James is not talking about this stuff. He is not talking about resisting sin or going to church or other religious things.

He is talking about turning to God in faith. Confessing Jesus is the Lord, then serving God in love by following the Spirit. Grace. Faith and true works from the Lord.

It’s simple. James says these things for YOU to look at YOURSELF. Be honest between you and God. Are you really doing anything for the Kingdom? Step it up? Ask the Lord to show you or open doors for you to serve or give or tell others about Jesus.

Some preachers want to make it about your sins. They keep people beat down, trying to stop sinning, instead of lifting them up and leading them to know Christ and serve. God calls sinners to serve, not perfect people. He makes us perfect in Christ, not ourselves.

James said ,”For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all..” John said “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (James 2:10, 1 John 1:8-10)

So understand that you sin. Confess it to God and move forward. Love God and others.

We are saved. If you gave yourself to Christ. But, we still have a corrupted nature. The Holy Spirit works on that as long as we are trapped in this body. We will sin. God does not see our sin or hold it against us because we are IN Christ. But, we still commit sins. It’s a fact.

Realize that James is not talking about sin when he speaks of works. We are dead to sin. He is talking about love and service. Faith brings love and service.

Notice in Matthew 25, when Jesus returns and separates the sheep and the goats.(Matthew 25:31-46)

He does not mention obeying the law. He speaks of how we treat others.

Jesus in Matthew 25 talks about loving others, even the least of these. Even the poor and lowly. 

That’s what James is saying. That’s the sort of works James is speaking of.

If you know Jesus. Then you do what Jesus would do.

And if we fail, we confess it. If we fail on one point, we are guilty of all. You do not sin a little. Your sins are equal to murder. This is how grave it is.

That’s why we need Jesus.

Understand that we are dead to Sin. If you are saved. You are washed. You are clean. Confess your sins and move on. We are not called by God to focus on our sins and spend our life trying to overcome them. He already did it. But we were saved and made right, so we can serve without fear.

When James says faith without works is dead, he is saying that when we get saved we listen to the Holy Spirit and follow Him in our works and service to God and others.  He is not beating us down with our sins and fears, like some preachers do.

You are saved. Now go help and save others. Let the Holy Spirit guide you and work through you.

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What Is Godliness

 What Is Godliness

Can we be like God? 

 

 

Godliness, in a nut shell, is being like God.

Now this explanation can bring up some problems, because who can be like God?

No one.

But, it’s about trying to be like Jesus. He is God.

It’s about trying to be like our heavenly father.

Jesus is an image of our heavenly father. (John 8:12-59)

We can see His traits and know Him, through Christ.

It’s not about being omnipresent or ruling over everything.

It’s not about hellfire and brimstone.

But, it’s about His character.

Jesus said, ” He let’s the sun rise on the evil and the good.” ( Matthew 5:45)

He is good, and does good things.  He doesn’t destroy people every time they fail. He is long suffering.

He is kind. He seeks a relationship. He seeks to teach and to grow us.

God is Love.

He cares about His creation. He cares for the sparrow.

Jesus said, “what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?” (Matthew 7:7-12)

Godliness is not about obeying rules. It’s about character. It’s about doing the loving thing. The fatherly thing, and thereby obeying the rules as a by product.

God provided for Adam and Eve’s needs in the Garden. They had everything they needed. 

Even when they fell, God showed up and set them on the right path.

He told them, “on the day you eat of it you will surely die.” ( Genesis 2:17)

But, made His days, a thousand years long. (2 Peter 3:8)

Adam lived 930 years. He died on that day.(Gen. 5:3-5)

And when he died he went to Paradise above.

Clothed in those skins God gave Him. Like God gives us Jesus.

God is good.

That is Godliness.

To know Him and be like Him.

It is to comfort those in need. 

To give a drink of water. 

To cloth the naked. 

When He returns He will ask

“What did you do with the least of these?” Matthew 25:31-46)

What are you doing?

When we turn to Him and Confess Him as Lord. 

When we are saved and Know Him. 

When we walk with Him, like Adam in the coolness of the day. 

We will desire to be like Him. 

And He will work in us and through us to mold us into His likeness. (Romans 8:28-39)

In everything ask yourself, “What Would Jesus Do?”  WWJD.

That is Godliness. 

We cannot do it without His Spirit in us. We cannot do it without His salvation and sanctification.

Love people and be good to people. 

That is Godliness.

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